ARROWTOWN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 480, 30 June 1871, Page 2

ARROWTOWN.

(from OUR Con'JRSPONDEST ) Arrowtown, June 27. Oh what a rumpus and a riot there is in the newspaper world ? What a prostitution of the great bulwark of liberty ! There are two newspapers at Arrowtown. Shades of Mahomet, what an enlightened community we have become ! One of the papers, the ■ Observer} is printed in the township, and is said tobs edited by Mr. Cope, late of Clyde. The other, the Advocate, is a bastard, printed at Cromwell, and is attempted by a small ’clique,- to be thrust down the throats of the Arrowites as the real genuine thing. Poor deluced mortals, who desire to send their money to Cromwell instead of keeping it at home. The interests of Cromwell tire so opposed to the Arrow that I wonder people can be so foolish. When ; the Hawea block is sold the Arrow people will perhaps learn wisdom. ' There is nothing like .the shoe pinching for that. .- .• j ; The town has improve 1 very much in its proportion lately, and property is becomin" valuable. The miners are doing exceedingly well, in spite of the Chinese, while the workings are extending in all directions. The weather, I need not mention, is cold to excees. Skating and sliding has become a favorite pastime.

PUBLIC MEETING at MILLER’S FLAT,

A largely att nded meeting ofthe miners, resident on Miller’s Flat, was held on the evening of Saturday, the 24th inst., in the residence of Mr. R. Ea'dy, Welshman’s Beach. The object of the meeting was to protest against the five thousand acre block on Miller’s Flat being disposed of in any other manner than by agricultural leasing. Mr. John’Kerr, miner, was elected ohai - man, and opened the meeting by reviewing the past history of the block. It bad just been declared open for. free selection, but he believed only one person had been able to avail himself of the opportunity to secure his homestead. Sine, then the residents had been continually fed with hopes and encouraged by promises to make valuable improvements, Now it appeared only too probable that the Government intended a deliberate breach of faith, simply their own mismanagement bad entangled tho province in financial difficulties. Ho had no doubt they all felt as strongly in reference to the ma ter as he did himself, for the peculiar nature of the mining in that quarter necessitated the combination of two industries in order Insecure a living for their families. As this was a meeting of work* ing men lie did not think any attempt at oratory was necessary. They were met to plainly state their-grievances, and, if they found moderation- of- no avail in securing their rights, tho Government,, and not they ■would he responsible for the. adoption of another course- Ho calied on Mr. Grogan to move the first resolution, IMr. Grogan, miner, moved, That, in tho opinion of this meeting the block of land on Miller’s Flat is highly suitable for agricultural settlement Mr. Shcohy, miner, recorded, .and tho

motion was carried nem. con. Mr. 11. Eady, miner, moved. Thafiiitho opinion of this meeting the Government are dealing most unfairly with the miners who have been induced to settle in this district by retarding the settlement of the Miller’s Elat block, under the agricultural ' leasing system, That considering the amount of capital and labor expended by many, an immediate opportunity should be granted them to secure their homesteads by some satisfactory tenure. Vr, James Tanner seconded; and the motion was carried with enthusiasm. Mr. John Eady,. miner, in moving the next resolution desired to cad the attention of the meeting to some very important farts nearly affecting the whole mining commu-nity’'-The Miller’s Flat block had a frontage to the liver of over thre 3 miles. The miners yearly obtained from fpur to live hundred ounces of gold, but the greater proportion of this was got. during the tVee winter months. During the other nine months they either bed to starve or apply themselves to some other industry. Now were they deprived of the laud, what could they do but clear out nuddeave the beaches to he worke dby the. Chinamen. Another important fact was that the Commissioner very properly refused to grant residential areas within the mining reserve, and therefore in ’lie event of the block being sold, .they would have to go liack half way to the Lammerlaw’s, before they could find a place to pitch their tents, or build their huts. ;It might be said they could buy the land ; hut every-one knew that it was useless for a working man to contend with the long purse and strong credit of the squatters. He moved, That, in the opinion of ibis meeting common justice demands that a class so heavily burthened with special taxati n at the raining community, should, within the gold-fields be afforded special facilities for se mring a home for themselves and families. Resolved, therefore, that the gold-fields members be requested to introduces measure s curing a prior right of selsetion on all blocks thrown open within gold-fields to the homfide working miners actually resident on or near the block. 10 Mr. John Sellars, farmer, said they all . knew he was not a miner, still he was de. sirous of seeing all-classes receiving justice and he believed the miners had in the past been ton much neglected. , He had great pleasure in seconding the resolution although quite aware it might tell’against himself. The motion was put and carried. • Mr, Sheehy, moveob .That, the chairman be instructed.to forward: copies,of,.the resolutions passed at this meeting, to-His Honor the Superintendent,' all the gold-fields members, and the Editors , of nil gold-fields

papers. ■*. A-. r : ■ Mr. Collie seconded. Carried, The procee lings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.